Hippos in Tanzania: The Heavyweights of Africa

Tanzania is home to some of the most fascinating wildlife on the planet, and among its most iconic residents are the hippopotamuses. These massive, semi-aquatic mammals dominate the waterways of Tanzania’s lakes and rivers, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem.

Let’s dive into the world of hippos and uncover some interesting facts about these heavyweight champions of Africa we learned while on safari in Tanzania.

The Basics: What is a Hippopotamus?

Hippopotamuses (amphibius) are large, mostly herbivorous mammals that spend much of their time in the water. Despite their hefty size, they are surprisingly agile swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for several minutes. Weighing between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds, hippos are one of the largest land animals in Africa.

Where to Find Hippos in Tanzania

Tanzania is teeming with hippos, especially in places where water is abundant. Some of the best places to spot hippos in Tanzania include:

• The Serengeti’s hippo pools, particularly along the Grumeti and Mara Rivers
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• The Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Katavi National Park, where large pods of hippos gather in dwindling dry-season waterholes

We first saw hippos while on safari with Altezza Travel in the Ngorongoro Crater, but our favorite encounters were in Serengeti National Park. We spent an entire afternoon watching hippos frolic in the Grumeti River and saw all their cute and idiosyncratic behaviors.

Water-Loving but Not Aquatic

Hippos spend most of their day submerged in water, but they are not truly aquatic creatures. They rely on water to keep their skin cool and hydrated but come onto land at night to graze. Their bodies are perfectly adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with eyes, ears, and nostrils positioned on top of their heads, allowing them to stay mostly submerged while keeping watch.

We arrived late at the town of Seronera in central Serengeti. There isn’t much to the town besides a gas station, airstrip, and welcome center, but outside of town were several catchponds filled with hippos. We got to see the hippos leaving these ponds to go foraging as the last rays of the sun dipped below the horizon.

Surprisingly Fast and Agile

Despite their bulky appearance, hippos are incredibly fast. On land, they can run at speeds of up to 19 mph for short distances. In water, they move gracefully by pushing off the riverbed rather than swimming. Their unexpected speed makes them more dangerous than they appear.

We heard how graceful hippos were and kept waiting for them to show off their skills. Instead of ballerinas, they were more like teenage boys playing at the pool – a little too loud and splashy with a funny smell.

Hippo Social Life

Hippos are social animals living in groups called pods or bloats, typically consisting of 10 to 30 individuals. These groups are led by a dominant male who aggressively defends his territory from rival males.

We imagined hippos would spend their days peacefully lounging like they do at the zoo. In the wild, hippos engage in frequent skirmishes, using their massive jaws to assert dominance. The pool was always in motion, with somebody causing a commotion. 

The Deadliest Mammal in Africa

Hippos may look docile, but they are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than lions or crocodiles. They are highly territorial and will not hesitate to charge anything they perceive as a threat. Their large canines, which can grow up to 20 inches long, are used in fights and for self-defense rather than for eating.

Nighttime Grazers

Hippos feed primarily on grass, consuming up to 80 pounds per night. They leave their watery homes after sunset to forage and can travel several miles in search of food. Despite their massive size, they have a relatively simple diet, consisting mainly of short grasses.

We asked our guide how there could be so much vegetation in a pool filled with massive herbivores. He said that they prefer grass and would rarely, if ever, eat the aquatic plants.

Hippos and the Ecosystem

These animals play a vital role in their ecosystem. Their dung fertilizes aquatic plants and provides food for fish, while their constant movement stirs up the riverbeds, maintaining the balance of the aquatic environment. Without hippos, many of Tanzania’s freshwater systems would function very differently.

Hippos’ Unique Bathroom Habit

One of the most amusing and bizarre behaviors of hippos is how they use their tails like a spinning propeller while defecating. This act spreads their dung far and wide, serving multiple purposes. It marks their territory, communicates with other hippos, and even helps fertilize aquatic environments.

We were lucky to witness the hippo’s signature poop-flinging move and understand why they are the undisputed champions of messy but effective ecological contributions! It was so cute and so gross at the same time.

Baby Hippos: Born in Water

After an eight-month pregnancy, a female hippo gives birth to a single calf, usually in the water. Baby hippos can nurse underwater, closing their nostrils and ears to prevent water from entering. From birth, they stay close to their mothers for protection, as crocodiles and lions occasionally target them.

We have seen newborn baby hippos at the San Diego Zoo, and they were the cutest things ever. We only saw adolescent hippos in the wild, but they were still pretty darn cute.

Conservation Concerns

While hippos are still relatively common in Tanzania, they face increasing threats from habitat destruction and illegal hunting for their ivory-like teeth and meat. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their freshwater habitats and cracking down on poaching to ensure future generations can witness these incredible animals in the wild.

We heard a tragic story about the pygmy hippos on Mafia Island from the Kitu Kiblu Research Center biologists. The island used to have a small population of pygmy hippos, but they were nearly hunted to extinction when the ivory prices soared. Today, only a few remain, and they are understandably timid of humans.

Hippos are More Than Meets the Eye

Hippos may seem like sleepy river-dwellers, but they are among the most fascinating and formidable creatures in Tanzania. Whether you’re watching them bask in the sun, witnessing a territorial clash, or listening to their deep grunts echoing across the water, encountering hippos in the wild while on safari is an unforgettable experience. Their survival is crucial to the health of Tanzania’s waterways, making them an essential part of the African landscape.

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